[The influence of an isotonic solution containing benzalkonium chloride and a hypertonic seawater solution on the function of ciliary epithelium from the nasal cavity in vitro].

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of an isotonic saline solution containing benzalconium chloride and of a hypertonic seawater solution on the function of ciliary epithelium in the nasal cavity in vitro. To this effect, we investigated the cytological material obtained from 35 children presenting with adenoid tissue hypertrophy. The tissue samples were taken from the nasal cavity by the standard method. A cellular biopsy obtained from each patient was distributed between three tubes that contained isotonic saline solution supplemented by benzalconium chloride (0.1 mg/ml), a hypertonic seawater solution, and a standard physiological saline solution. It was shown that the number of the viable cells in both isotonic solutions was statistically comparable and significantly higher than in the hypertonic solution (p<0.05). The ciliary beat frequency of the cells embedded in the two isotonic solutions was not significantly different but considerably exceeded that in the hypertonic seawater solution (p<0.05). Thus, the present study has demonstrated the absence of the ciliotoxic influence of isotonic saline solution containing benzalconium chloride at a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml and the strong ciliotoxic effect of the hypertonic seawater solution. This finding gives reason to recommend isotonic solutions for the regular application whereas hypertonic solutions can be prescribed only during infectious and/or inflammatory ENT diseases.

[The method for the direct evaluation of the state of mucociliary clearance in the children].

The objective of the present study was to develop a readily available, simple to use and acceptable for the application in the childhood method for the evaluation of the state of mucociliary clearance. We have proposed and presented the detailed description of the simple approach to the direct investigation of the ciliary apparatus of the ciliary epithelium cells that requires neither the expensive sophisticated equipment nor the software programs to be implemented. Investigations by this method made it possible to elucidate and identify certain details of the functioning of ciliary epithelium. Other methods for the study of the ciliary apparatus are considered with special reference to their main advantages and disadvantages. Some debatable problems pertaining to the choice of optimal techniques for the evaluation of the functional state of ciliary epithelium are discussed.

[Ciliary epithelium and topical decongestants: how to minimize the undesirable events?].

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the combination of 0.1% xylometazoline with seawater (Rinomaris, "Jadran", Croatia) on the state and functional activity of the ciliary epithelium of the nasal cavity. The results of the study confirm the safety of this treatment and the possibility of its application in routine clinical practice.